Ever go to a strange town, bring the kids and have them drive you nuts from Boredom? Well to keep that from happening to you, in Hickory North Carolina, I have the solution read this and you will be prepared.

One of. my favorites is Hickory Dickory Dock www.hickory-dickory-dock.com located at 825 Highway 70 SE Hickory NC phone number 828-322-3625 they have a restaurant, an arcade, mini golf ,bumper cars, laser tag and a place called Ticker's Playground where there are ball pits, slides and climbing toys for the younger kids.

Next we have AMF Colonial Lanes 1951 Hwy 70 SE, Hickory Phone them at 828-327-2695. Located across from Valley Hills Mall, this Bowling Center has Bowling, a video arcade and food Sunday-Thursday, 9 AM-midnight; Friday-Saturday, 9 AM to 2 AM

Now we have Valley Hills Mall 1960 Hwy 70 SE Hickory. Phone them at 828-328-2436.
The Mall contains over 90 stores including JC Penney, Sears, Belks and Dillards. There is also a food court and a 28 foot antique carousel and 2 parking decks.

If your in town during baseball season take the family out to a Hickory Crawdads Baseball game at LP Frans Stadium 825 Clement Blvd NW just off Hwy 321 phone them at 828-322-3000 or 800-488-DADS. www.hickorycrawdads.com The Crawdads are a Class A affiliate of the Pittsburg Pirates in the South Atlantic League.

If your kids are into Science we have that covered as well at The Catawba Science Center located at 243 3rd Ave NE Hickory Phone them at 828-322-8169 or see their website at www.catawbascience.org Visitors of all ages can learn from hands on exhibits and admission is only $2 for adults $1 for under 16 and seniors and under 3 get in free.

Kiwanis Park at 605 7th Ave in Hickory the Park consists of 16 acres, which have a four field, youth baseball complex. All four fields are lighted for night play. Three of the fields have 200-foot fences with the fourth field having a 188-foot fence. All outfield fences are 10 feet high. They also have concession stands, restrooms, and scorebooths.

You can also take the kids to The Hickory Museum of Art located at 243 3rd Ave NE Hickory, In the Arts and Science Center of Catawba Valley, phone them at 828-327- 8576 or see their page at www.hickorymuseumofart.org
They have lectures ,films ,art classes and a gift shop.

Some of these next locations are located in Newton North Carolina which is very close to Hickory and easy to find.

Into Racing? Visit The Hickory Motor Speedway just outside of Hickory on Hwy 70E in Newton 828-464-3655 or see their page at www.hickorymotorspeedway.com this racetrack is considered a racing birthplace for lots of today's Nascar Stars, the season runs from March through October.

Also close to Hickory in Newton we have the areas only all year Ice Skating rink. Ice Castle Skating Rink is located at 1901 N Nw Blvd Newton 828-466-1173 Lessons are offered by 1997 American Open Pro's Pair Champions Kim and Gray Johnson

Roller skating more your kid's style? We have Skateland Usa located at 2820 Hwy 70 Newton 828-322-8824 They are open Mon-Sat and have skating, video games and parties

For an alcohol free location for Billiards try RackNRoll Billiards and Amusements at 2180 Northwest Blvd Newton phone them at 828-464-POOL. They have pool tables, video games and food

Pin Station Bowling alley at 525 A St Newton (just off hwy 321) 828-466-2695 provides 42 lanes of bowling, pool tables and a snack bar. Fridays and Saturdays from 11 pm to 2am they have Cosmic Bowling which has strobe lights and glow in the dark pins. Kids love this and it's pretty cool for us adults as well.

This concludes my list of top things to do in the Hickory North Carolina Area. I hope you enjoy your visit, and come back and see us soon.

The "Breathtaking" Views of Lake Hickory

Lake Hickory is a fully recreational lake for countless activities including jet skiing, wakeboarding, canoeing, and even swimming! Unlike other lakes in the Carolinas, Lake Hickory has a constant water level, so homeowners can enjoy the lake at it's constant water level, along with the beautiful shoreline, and amazing crystal blue clear water. The waters of Lake Hickory feature countless species of fish, that can be seen through Lake Hickory's lovely clear waters. Lake Hickory's shorelines a...

The Lovely City of Conover, NC

Conover, NC is a great place to live, whether you are raising a family, or enjoying your retirement! Real Estate in Conover, NC is a great investment and is both diverse and widely affordable! Click here to learn a little more about Conover, NC and why it is such a great place to live!

Small Town Charm in Newton, NC

Living in Newton, NC is like living in a world with both "small town charm" and modern conveniences! Just minutes outside of Hickory, Newton is an excellent place to call home! The diversity of real estate in Newton, NC is exemplarary! Here you will find everything from modest, affordable homes, to grand estates! Check it out!

Gorgeous Granite Falls, NC

Granite Falls is known for their lovely real estate and community! Their strong community support of business makes this a great place to move your business, or find a new job! Granite Falls, NC has an undying commitment to small town quality of life - and to this they credit their economic success.

The City of Conover began to develop in the mid 1800's as a "Y" intersection of the railroad traversing North Carolina. Although originally called Wye Town, legend says the name Canova was adopted, but transposed to Conover, over several years. The City of Conover was chartered in 1876 and incorporated in 1877.

Conover is located in the western piedmont area of the State and is part of the Hickory Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), the fourth largest MSA in the State. Conover is located approximately 50 miles northwest of Charlotte; 60 miles west of Winston-Salem; and 80 miles east of Asheville, and is the geographic center of Catawba County. Interstate 40 traverses through the City along with other major roads including US 70, US 321, US 70A, and NC 16. As of 2001, the land area of the City is 9.44 square miles with a resident population of 6,604. Because of its large industrial base, the City's daytime population is approximately 24,000.

The City operates under a council-manager form of government. The City Council consists of five Council members and a Mayor. Each are elected on a nonpartisan basis to serve staggered four-year terms. The City Council represents the citizens by setting policy and the city manager, hired by the Council, administers the day-to-day business of government and carries out the policies of the Council.

The City provides its citizens with basic quality services that include planning and zoning, public safety, public works, street maintenance, solid waste collection, recycling, parks and cemeteries, and water and sewer utilities. This report includes all the City's activities in providing these services. The City also extends financial support to other agencies, boards and commissions to assist their efforts in serving citizens. Among these are the Economic Development Corporation, Piedmont Wagon, the Catawba County Arts Council, the Western Piedmont Council of Governments and the Regional Sludge Composting Facility.

The Friendly People of Statesville, NC

The City of Statesville, NC is located in Iredell County near the foothills of North Carolina at the intersections of interstates 40 and 77. Historic neighborhoods, friendly people and small-town charm will greet you at every corner!

Hildebran, NC - Burke County

Hildebran, NC is locatd in Burke County - which is one of the most vibrant areas in Western North Carolina! Those who visit Burke County are amazed by what this dynamic county, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, has to offer!

Connelly Springs, NC A Beautiful Community!

Connelly Springs is located in eastern Burke County between Hickory, NC to the East and Morganton, NC to the West. The natural beauty surrounding Burke County and the small community of Connelly Springs includes the South Mountains, The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Table Rock, Lake James, and The Catawba River Valley.

The City of Newton is located in Catawba County, positioned in the triangle formed by Asheville to the northwest, Winston-Salem to the northeast, and Charlotte to the southeast, all within an hour-and-a-half drive. The gently rolling terrain blends into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains offering residents and visitors an abundance of scenic attractions, a wealth of recreational options, and a temperate climate with four seasons that are as distinct as they are mild.

The shelter of the mountains moderate winter temperatures and provides refreshing summer breezes providing an environment and ambiance favorable for year-round outdoor activities. Newton's average annual temperature is 57 degrees F, with a range of 41 F in January to 77 F in July. The usual freeze-free period extends from the first week of April to the first week of November. Precipitation averages 49 inches yearly. The City's location in the foothills of the mountains exerts a strong influence on the comfortable and pleasing climate. Elevation within the county ranges from 705 to 1780 feet, with Newton averaging about 1000 feet.

Newton was selected as the county seat in 1845 and was incorporated in 1855. The second largest city in the county, Newton was experienced a steady rate of growth since 1970, expanding from 7,600 to the current population of over 13,000 people. The City has a wide array of advantages – challenging places to work, low cost of living, diverse cultures, a vast array of recreational opportunities, arts and culture, and an unparalleled lifestyle. In fact, Catawba County has been recognized as being one of the top ten areas in American to raise family.

Over the past several years, Newton has sought to diversify and balance its threatened traditional manufacturing base. A productive partnership with the County and regional economic development organizations has produced a comprehensive methodology for identifying and recruiting new business and industry, both manufacturing and non-manufacturing. The transition from a traditional manufacturing economy to a more modern, diversified structure has benefited from a pool of skilled, productive workers loyal to the area. With hard work and determination, Newton has been highly successful in advancing its economy.

The National League of Cities (NLC) and CH2M HILL honored the City as a finalist for the 2006 Awards for Municipal Excellence, which recognize outstanding programs that have significantly contributed to the quality of life in their city. The City also earned a Public Power Award of Excellence in four categories at the ElectriCities Annual Meeting in August 2006. The City's drinking water earned the Area Wide Optimization Program award from the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources for its quality. The Water Treatment Plant Superintendent also won the 2006 Water Operator of the Year Award, further denoting its water quality. In addition, the City's Planning Department earned a 2006 Marvin Collins Outstanding Planning Award. These achievements truly demonstrate the efforts and professionalism of the Mayor, City Council, and City staff.


DEVELOPING A QUALITY HOMETOWN EXPERIENCE

Newton has created an enviable living environment offering friendly neighborhoods and hospitable businesses, shops, and restaurants. The Downtown Newton Development Association has created an effective public-private collaboration to promote business development and preserve the friendly atmosphere of the downtown business district. This district includes the city government complex, the historical museum, and residential properties.

On the Square in the downtown area, visitors can get a sense of Newton's past at the Catawba County Museum of History, where the region's story is artfully displayed in the unique setting of the former Catawba County Courthouse, an imposing National Register Renaissance Revival structure built in 1924. Other attractions include the Historic Newton Depot and Museum, and the Newton-Conover Civic & Performance Place. The Newton Parks & Recreation Department helps advance the attractiveness of the community and its quality of life through a diverse and comprehensive program of recreational, educational, and cultural programs for both old and young alike.


ACCOMPLISHING EMPLOYMENT OBJECTIVES

Newton strives to maintain its competitive position by providing both new and relocating business and industry with an excellent infrastructure, access to a productive labor force, a wide range of expansion/relocation incentives, outstanding technology and training, and proximity to a vast number of suppliers. These efforts were rewarded in July 2006 when Target Corporation announced that will locate a major regional distribution center outside Newton that will bring at least 550 new jobs to the area. Construction on the $90 million, 1.5-million square foot facility will begin in 2007 with hiring to start in January 2008. Newton will provide all utilities to the site, and will also provide a generator to ensure an uninterruptible power supply.

Key factors in building the reputation leading to this type of recruiting success include the area's unparalleled support of new and small businesses and one of the nation's best public-private sector partnerships supporting local businesses and industries. Businesses are confident that if they make a business investment in the region, it will be a sound and profitable choice. The area has a proven portfolio with outstanding returns.


INTERESTING FACTS

• Newton is strategically located in the Hickory Metropolitan Area. The City has a diverse industrial base, with companies producing fiber optic cable, automotive parts, baked goods, medical supplies, telecommunications technology, as well as traditional industries such as furniture and textiles. Over half of the nation's furniture is produced within a 200-mile radius of Newton.

• INC Magazine has twice named the region as one of the top entrepreneurial areas in America in both traditional and high-tech industries. The region has been recognized as offering businesses all the necessary tools to excel in a world-class business environment.

• The City Parks & Recreation Department maintains five parks (including numerous ball fields, tennis courts, walking/jogging trails, and picnic tables/shelters), a swimming pool, two recreation centers with gymnasiums, and a fitness center. The department also sponsors many athletic and entertainment activities throughout the year.

• In August 2006, the City hosted the 117th Annual Soldiers Reunion, featuring almost a week of patriotic and entertaining activities for area residents, including a parade in downtown. The event is the oldest patriotic celebration in the nation that is not based on a holiday.

• Business North Carolina magazine ranked the region as having the second-best business environment of the state's 50th largest communities.

• The construction of the US Highway 321 freeway to the west of the City has shortened the driving time to the Charlotte metropolitan area and ushers in a new life for the rural southern portion of the county. The highway improvement is expected to bring rapid commercial and industrial growth along this important transportation corridor.